11 Mar Ramaphosa lauds Bidvest’s CEO-designate Mpumi Madisa

RAMAPHOSA LAUDS BIDVEST’S CEO-DESIGNATE MPUMI MADISA

President Cyril Ramaphosa has congratulated Mpumi Madisa after she was named the CEO-designate of Bidvest, calling the move to make her the group’s new head an “advance in gender transformation in business” and “an occasion for celebration”.

The Bidvest [JSE:BVT] board announced on Monday that it was appointing Madisa, 39, as its chief executive in waiting. She is set to take over running the company in the 2021 financial year.

Lindsay Ralphs will continue as group chief executive until Madisa takes over.

According to Bidvest’s website, Madisa is 39 years old. If she takes over running the company in 2021, she would be one of the youngest chief executives at a JSE-listed company.

“The emergence of Mpumi Madisa as chief executive of a major corporation in our economy is a significant personal achievement that also signifies a new advance in gender transformation in business,” said Ramaphosa in a statement on Friday that coincided with International Women’s Day.

“Ms Madisa’s life and career trajectory is an inspiration to all of us, while Bidvest’s succession plan sets an example for many companies, especially at the level of the JSE Top 40, in the development of human capital and the transformation of our society.“